Food processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A food processsing machine particularly adapted to the rapid preparation of food items including Mexican food products such as enchiladas and tacos. The machine has a feed conveyor, a filler dispenser, and a folding belt for forming a bread, cake, or pastry type shell into an envelope around a food filler. One form of the apparatus also includes a sealing system associated with the folding belt for sealing the shell around the filler after folding by the belt. The shells are sequentially introduced into the machine on the feed conveyor where a measured quantity of filler, such as a meat paste, is deposited on each shell. The shell moves along the folding belt to a folding region where it is folded upwardly around the filler and sealed forming a filler enclosing envelope over a major central portion of the shell as the food product so prepared is advanced toward the discharge end of the belt. Various embodiments disclosed adapt the machine to processing different size food products of the nature described.

United States Patent [191 Pomara, Jr.

1 1 FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Johnny B. Pomara, Jr.,Dallas,

Tex.

[73] Assignee: El Chico Corporation, Dallas, Tex

a part interest [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 95,708

[52] US. Cl. 99/450.6, 99/4507 [51] Int. Cl. A2lc 9/06 [58] Field ofSearch 107/1 A, l R, 1 B,

107/27, 28, 29, 52, 54 R, 54 D, 4 E; 18/4 B; 99/4S0.6, 450.7

8/1950 Great Britain 10711 A Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price AssistantExaminerAlan I. Cantor Attorneyl*l. Mathews Garland [57] ABSTRACT A foodprocesssing machine particularly adapted to the rapid preparation offood items including Mexican food products such as enchiladas and tacos.The machine has a feed conveyor, a filler dispenser, and a folding beltfor forming a bread, cake, or pastry type shell into an envelope arounda food filler. One form of the apparatus also includes a sealing systemassociated with the folding belt for sealing the shell around the fillerafter folding by the belt. The shells are sequentially introduced intothe machine on the feed conveyor where a measured quantity of filler,such as a meat paste, is deposited on each shell. The shell moves alongthe folding belt to a folding region where it is folded upwardly aroundthe filler and sealed forming a filler enclosing envelope over a majorcentral portion of the shell as the food product so prepared is advancedtoward the discharge end of the belt. Various embodiments disclosedadapt the machine to processing different size food products of thenature described.

19-Clairns, 17 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR Johnny B. Pomoro, Jr.

Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-5heet 2 Johnny B. Pomoro, Jr.

FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS This invention relates to food processingapparatus and more particularly relates to apparatus for the preparationof a food product comprising an inner filler within a folded envelope ofa substantially flat bread, cake, or pastry type shell.

In the past, the preparation of food items, particularly of the natureof Mexican food products such as enchiladas and tacos, has been largelya slow, hand operation producing a product somewhat characterized byinconsistent or uneven appearance and to some degree, not necessaryconsistent in other quality and quantity characteristics. The advent offrozen, prepared foods and particularly prepared complete frozen dinnersmakes highly desirable a system for the production of large quantitiesof such food products at a rapid rate and with repeatable consistency ofquantity, physical appearance, and the like. Accordingly, it is aprincipal object of this invention to provide a machine whichautomatically prepares filled food products such as Mexican tacos andMexican enchiladas at a rapid rate with consistent quality and a minimumof hand work.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which includes a folding conveyor belt for forming afiller containing envelope in a flat cake, bread, or pastry type foodshell.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which includes a dispensing valve for sequentiallydepositing measured quantities of a flowable food product filler on aplurality of substantially flat food shells.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which seals the food filler within the shell afterfolding around the food filler.

It is another object of the invention to provide a food processingmachine of the character described which may be utilized in eithersingle or multiple row fashion for producing large quantities of foodproducts at a rapid rate.

It is another object of the invention to provide a food processingmachine of the character described which is adapted to processing bothindividual food items introduced sequentially into the system and acontinuous stream or ribbon of a food product which is cut into selectedlength upon discharge from the system.

In accordance with these and further objects of the invention which willbe apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodimentsthereof, there is provided a food processing machine which includes aproduct folding conveyor belt having an input end and a discharge endand a product folding portion or region between such ends for folding asubstantially flat cake, bread, or pastry shell into an envelope forcontaining a food filler. The folding portion of the flexible conveyorbelt is guided into a U-shaped folding shape by a pair of laterallyspaced guide rollers disposed on opposite sides of the upper productconveying section of the belt. A feed conveyor is positioned at theinput end of the folding belt conveyor. A filler dispensing valve issecured over the feed conveyor for depositing a measured quantity offood filler on each shell moved along the feed conveyor. The productshells are sequentially introduced into the system from a suitablesource such as the cooling belt at the discharge end of an oven. As theshells each enter the machine, measured quantities of a food filler,such as a meat paste, are deposited on each of the shells. The shellsthen move along the folding belt conveyor on which they are folded intoa U- shape forming a filler containing envelope. In one form of themachine, the envelope is then sealed around the filler and each productis discharged from the folding belt for packaging.

Preferred forms of the apparatus together with objects and advantages ofthe invention will be better understood by the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of one embodiment of a foodprocessing machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view in elevation of the food processing machine of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view taken along the line 33 ofFIG. 2 showing, particularly, the

. filler dispenser manifold and valve system;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in section along the line4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3showing the dispensing valve open for depositing filler on one of theshells;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the dispensing valve closed;

FIG. 7 is a view in section along the line 77 of FIG. 41 showing afolding belt guide roller, a seal roller, and the hold-down roller ofthe machine;

FIG. 8 is a view in section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4 showing theshell seal rollers operating with the folding belt;

FIG. 9 is a view in section along the line 9-9 of FIG. 3 showing thedischarge end of a cooling conveyor, the input wire slide, and the inputend of the feedconveyor of the machine;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the timing chain orbelt of the main drive and timing system of the machine;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the filler dispensing system includingthe air supply control and timing circuitry;

FIG. 12 is a schematic fragmentary view of an alternate arrangement oftimingcontrol switches for the system shown in FIG. 11;.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of an alternatearrangement of the hold-down apparatus for preparation of smaller foodproducts than can be handled with the system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view in section along the line I4 14 of FIG. 15of a cutting system for use with the machine of FIGS. I and 2 when acontinuous ribbon-like product is being processed;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, taken alongthe line 15l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view in section of an alternate form of beltguide and sealing roller apparatus used with the folding belt, takensubstantially along the same line as represented by 8-8 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 17 is a side view in elevation of a form of combined folding beltguide and shell seal roller.

Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a food processingmachine 20 embodying the invention is shownat the discharge end of aconveyor 21 which may be from an oven, not shown, a cooling conveyor orany other suitable form of transfer conveyor for supplying shells to thefood processing machine. The food processing machine 20 broadly includesa folding belt conveyor 22, a feed conveyor 23, and a filler dispensingsystem 24. A suitable filler supply system is connected with thedispensing system for providing a constant flow of filler. A take-awayconveyor is connected at the discharge end of the folding belt fortransporting prepared products to a suitable packaging station, notshown.

The filler supply system 25 includes a reservoir tank 31 connected atits lower end 32 to the intake of a pump 33 which discharges to a fillersupply line 34. The supply line 34 is connected at its upper end to amanifold 35 which connects through a U-shaped pipe fitting to arecirculating line 41 which discharges back into the upper open end ofthe reservoir 31. The line 41 is provided with a back pressure valve 42for controlling pressure in the manifold. The pump 33 is supported on abase 43 and is connected by suitable means, not shown, to a drive system44. A multiple-bladed agitator or stirrer 45 is supported in thereservoir tank from a suitable housed drive system for continuous mixingof a filler, such as meat paste, in the reservoir tank.

The dispensing valve 24 is connected with the manifold 35, FIG. 3, andincludes a discharge nozzle 51 connected directly into the manifold anda valve operator cylinder 52. The discharge nozzle has a rigid tubularportion 53 secured directly into the manifold 35 at an upper end andconnected at a lower end by a sleeve 54, to a flexible discharge tube55, which is preferably a form of plastic deformable from a full openshape, FIG. 5, to a pinched closed configuration, FIG. 6. The nozzledischarge tube 55 also must be a material which is capable of beingmaintained in a sanitary condition for purposes of handling foodproducts. The lower end portion of the tube 55 is disposed through aharness supported from the cylinder assembly 52. The cylinder assembly52 includes a cylinder 61 secured at one end to a base 62 and at theother end to a head 63. The base has a threaded portion 620 disposedthrough an opening in the harness 60. A nut 62b on the threaded portion62a holds the harness 60 on the cylinder base 62. The harness isconnected as shown in FIG. 3 to a cross member 64 for supporting thecylinder assembly at the proper position and angle above the feedconveyor 23. The cylinder assembly has a piston rod 65 connected with apiston which is biased upwardly by a spring 71 confined in the cylinderbetween the base 62 and the piston. The free end of the piston rod 65slidably extends through the base 62 supporting a pincher head 72 whichreciprocates with the rod toward and away from a harness cross member60a for controlling flow through the flexible discharge tube 55. At theretracted position of the pincher head 72, FIG. 5, the tube 55 is fullyopen to allow maximum flow from the manifold 35 through the nozzle to ashell on the feed conveyor. At the extended piston rod position of FIG.6, the head 72 tightly squeezes the discharge nozzle tube 55 against theharness member 600 completely closing off all discharge flow through thenozzle. The cylinder head 63 is connected by an air line 73, FIG. 11, toa suitable air supply, not shown, for extending the piston to pinch offI flow through the discharge nozzle as shown in FIG. 6. The air line 72also functions as a return discharge or exhaust line when the airpressure is relieved and the spring lifts the piston back to theposition of FIG. 5 to reopen the dischargenozzle.

The air supply and discharge line 73 to the cylinder assembly 24 isconnected through a three-way valve 73 having a three-way T-shaped valvepassage 74 which communicates with an air supply line 75 at one positionand a discharge line at another position. Any suitable air supply, notshown, providing a constant air pressure of the desired value issatisfactory. The valve 73 is actuated by a suitable valve operator 81connected with a time delay relay 82. One conductor 83 from the timedelay relay is connected through a pair of micro switches 84 and 85 to apower source, not shown. The switches 84 and 85 have feelers 84a and850, respectively, which are contacted by a shell on the feed conveyor23 as the shell is moved from the input to the discharge end of theconveyor. The other lead 86 from the time delay relay is connecteddirectly to the power source. The switch 84 is a normally open switchwhile the switch 85 is normally closed so that a shell 90 moving alongthe conveyor 23 initially engages and closes the switch 84, which, byvirtue of the normally closed switch 85, energizes the time delay relay.The valve 73 is normally positioned to communicate the air supply withthe cylinder 61 so that air pressure in the cylinder holds the pistonrod 65 extended pinching the discharge nozzle tube 55 closed. When thetime delay is energized the valve operator 81 moves the valve 73 to aposition to discharge air from the cylinder to the atmosphere throughthe line 72, the valve, and the line 80 permitting the spring 71 toretract the piston rod so that the discharge nozzle 51 is opened fordischarge of filler F through the nozzle to a shell as represented inFIG. 3. As the shell moves along the conveyor 23, it engages thenormally closed switch 85 opening the switch thereby cutting off powerto the time delay relay. The close proximity of the feelers 84a and 85aof the switch provides for a short power pulse to the time delay relay.The delay time in the relay is adjusted to keep the valve 73 at the airdischarge position for just the proper length of time that deposit offiller on the shell is desired. As the shell passes, the time delayrelay causes the valve 73 to move from a normal air-on position at whichthe filler dispensing nozzle is closed to an air-off position fordischarge of air from the cylinder and resultant opening of thedispensing nozzle for long enough to deposit the desired amount offiller on the shell and then return the valve to the air-on position foragain shutting off the dispensing nozzle.

During operation of the machine, the filler, such as a meat paste, inthe system 25 is constantly pumped through the supply line 34 from thelower end of the tank 31 by the pump 33. The filler moves through themanifold 35 and the back-pressure valve 42 back into the tank 31. Theback pressure is adjusted by the valve 42 to maintain a sufficientpressure in the manifold 35 that when the filler dispensing nozzle 55from the manifold is opened with the pincher head 72 at the position ofFIG. 5, the desired quantity of filler material is discharged throughthe nozzle onto the moving tortilla.

At the input end of the machine a plurality of guide wires 91 aresecured in parallel laterally spaced relation between an upper crossmember 92 and a lower cross member 93 connected between end brackets 94and 95 to fonn an input wire slide for directing each shell 90 from thedischarge end of the conveyor 21 to the input conveyor 34. The brackets94 and 95 are connected to side panels and 101 of the main frame of themachine.

The feed conveyor 23 comprises a plurality of laterally spaced belts 102which run on longitudinally spaced end rollers 1113 and 104. The roller103 is mounted on a bearing supported shaft 105 connected between theside panels 100 and 101. Similarly, the end roller 104 is mounted onshaft 110 secured between the side panels of the frame. A pair of sideguides 111 and 112 are mounted inwardly of the side panels 101 alongopposite sides of the conveyor belts 102 to aid in guiding shells 90along the belt beneath the dispensing nozzle 51. A drive gear 113 on theshaft 110 of the feed conveyor 23 is engaged by a chain or belt 114driven by a motor 115 for turning the roller 104 to drive the feedconveyor 23.

A flexible shell folding belt conveyor 120 is supported between an endroller 121 on a shaft 122 and an end roller 123 on a shaft 124. Theshafts are suitably mounted on bearings not shown, in the frame sidepanels 100 and 101. The belt 120 is aligned with the conveyor 23. Theinput end of the belt 120 is closely spaced from the output end of theconveyor 23. The shaft 122 has a drive gear 125, on the end of the shaftextending through the side panel 101 and aligned with the drive gear 113on the conveyor 23 so that the drive chain 114 runs over both the drivegears 113 and 125. Similarly, the other shaft 124 of the folding belthas a drive gear 130 over which the drive chain 114 runs whereby bothend rollers 121 and 123 of the folding belt are driven at the same rateand synchronized with the driving of the feed conveyor 23. The lowerfolding belt portion 120a runs straight between the end rollers 121 and123 while the upper portion of the belt has a central folding region12Gb and a short sealing region 120c. It will be apparent that thefolding and sealing regions are not fixed physical characteristics'ofthe belt which is a constantly moving member but rather are controlleddeformations in the belt as it moves past the pair of vertical,elongated, laterally spaced folding rollers 131 and 132 supported from across brace 133 between the machine frame side panels 100 and 101, and apair of seal rollers 134 and 135 also supported from the cross member133. The folding rollers are disposed on opposite sides of the foldingbelt to guide the belt to a U-shaped folding configuration asparticularly evident in FIG. 7. The seal rollers squeeze oppositeportions of each shell together after the filler is folded into it, asdescribed hereinafter.

A serrated hold-down wheel 140 is supported aligned in a vertical planealong the longitudinal center line of the folding belt spaced from thefolding rollers toward the input end of the belt. The hold-down wheel ismounted on a shaft 141 secured at opposite ends to bearings supported onthe side panels 100 and 101. The lower edge of the hold-down wheel issupported in close spaced relation above the normal plane of the flatportions of the top portion of the folding belt as best seen in FIG. 4.A drive wheel 142 mounted on the shaft 141 is driven by a twisted belt143 running over a pulley 144 on the shaft 122 of the folding roller121. The belt is twisted as evident in FIG. 4 for the lower edge of thehold-down wheel 141) to move in the same direction as the top portion ofthe folding belt 120. The hold-down wheel must rotate counterclockwisewhereas its driving pulley is rotating in a clockwise direction. Sincethe shaft 122 on which the pulley 144 is mounted also is the shaftsupporting the end roller 121 of the folding belt, and such shaft isdriven by the chain 114, the rotation of the hold-down wheel issynchronized with the movement of the folding belt. Since the hold-downwheel keeps the product shell downwardly in the folding belt as theshell is folded upwardly, it is desirable that the lower peripheral edgeof the wheel move at the same rate as the top surface of the foldingbelt. A scraper 145 is mounted around the hold-down wheel on a cross barbetween the side panels of the machine frame. The lower portion of thehold-down wheel 140 is disposed through a longitudinal slot 151 in thescraper with the slot being sized to form a fairly close tolerance fitbetween the side and peripheral edges of the wheel 140 below the shaft141. The scraper keeps the wheel reasonably clean and free of theproduct filler as the wheel, in performing its funtion, revolves alongand through the longitudinal center line of the deposit of filler oneach product shell.

The discharge conveyor 30, aligned with and at the discharge end of thefolding belt, includes a belt 151 mounted on one end roller 152supported on a shaft 153 and another end roller 154 supported on a shaft155. The shafts 153 and 155 are mounted with suitable bearings, notshown, at the machine frame side panels 100 and 101. The conveyor isdriven by a belt running on a driving pulley 161 on the shaft 124 of thefolding belt and a driven pulley 162 on the shaft 153 of the conveyorroller 152. Since the driving chain 114 runs directly over the pulley130 on the shaft 124, the discharge conveyor is thus directlysynchronized with the rate of movement of the folding belt.

FIG. 12 shows an alternate arrangement for support of the actuatingswitches 84 and 85 in those instances where the filler materialdispensed by the valve system 24 is subject to spillage on the machinestructure and requires washdown periodically which particularly subjectsthe switches to possible water damage. The switches 84 and 85 are hungabove the conveyor belt 23 from a suitable cross-brace, not shown, andare covered by a hood 165 to protect the switches when water or othercleaning liquids are directed on the machine. The switch sensors 84a and85a are positioned between the conveyor belts 102 and functionidentically as in the system of FIG. 11. The other features of thetiming and dispensing system used with the switch arrangement of FIG. 12are as shown in FIG. 11. It will be rec ognized that a single switch ofsuitable design may be employed to discharge the functions of the on andoff switches 84 and 85 to sense the movement of the product shell 90 foractuating the valve system 24 over the desired length of time to depositfiller on the shell.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modified form of the hold-down wheel system whichmay be employed in lieu of the serrated hold-down wheel 140 in thepreparation of a substantially smaller food product, such as a partysize taco or enchilada. A pair spaced hold-down pulleys and 171 arealigned along the longitudinal axis of the folding belt. A hold-downbelt 172 runs over the pulleys 170 and 171. The belt 172 is a roundplastic belt which will readily withstand the immersion in foodproducts, will remain sanitary, and can be effectively cleaned andmaintained. The hold-down pulley 170 is supported on a transverse shaft173 mounted between end bearings 174 supported at opposite ends of theshaft on the side panels 100 and 101 of the machine frame. A pulley 175is secured on the shaft 173 between the folding belt edge and the sidepanel 101 for driving the hold-down pulleys 170 and 171 with theinterconnected holddown belt 172. The pulley 174 is driven by a twistedbelt 175 which runs over the pulley 144, previously referred to, mountedon the shaft 122 and driven by the chain 114 to synchronize all of therotating components of the machine. The hold-down pulley 171 is mountedon a shaft 180 which similarly is supported on another pair of bearings174 at opposite ends of the shaft mounted on the side panels 100 and101. Both of the hold-down pulleys are vertically positioned and alignedto permit the lower portion of the hold-down belt 172 running betweenthe lower edges of the pulleys to be spaced slightly above the normaltop plane surface of the folding belt 120 along its longitudinal centerline. The pulley 170 is longitudinally positioned relative to thehold-down belt at a location in advance of or before the belt edgesstart folding upwardly while the holddown pulley 171 is well in the foldof the belt. The positioning of the hold-down pulleys and the belt 172is dictated by the need to hold a small product shell down in thefolding belt from a time just prior to entry into the folding portion ofthe belt 120 and until the shell is fully folded and about to passbetween the seal rollers 135. A small product, such as a party taco orenchilada, is much more readily processed with this form of hold-downsystem due to a tendency for the product to deviate from the properposition in the folding belt as it moves into the fold and is sealed.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a knife assembly 190 which may be installedon the processing machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, or its modified form asrepresented in FIG. 13, where a continuous ribbon-like product isprocessed. The knife assembly cuts the product into selected lengths. Atransverse knife blade 191 is supported across the input end of thedischarge conveyor 30 by a pair of supporting guide rods 192 and 193 anda centrally positioned piston rod 194. Each of the guide rods moves in asleeve bearing 195 secured through a transverse bracket 200 supported onthe machine frame side panels 100 and 101. The piston rod 194 is part ofa piston assembly 201 of a double acting type having air supplied atopposite ends by supply hoses 202 and 203 extending from a suitable airsupply. The dual action feature of the piston unit, as supplied by theair hoses 202 and 203 which function alternately as supply and exhausthoses, permits positive action raising and lowering of the knife blade191 between the lower solid line position and upper broken line positionof FIG. 14. The lines 202 and 203 extend through suitable valving andtiming mechanism, not shown, similar to that of FIG. 11, for actuatingthe knife at selected time intervals to provide the desired lengths ofthe ribbon-like product being processed by the system. Obviously, withsuch an arrangement the timing system must operate the dispensing nozzle51 on a continuous basis so long as the strip-like product shell is fedinto the machine on the input conveyor 23..

Alternate forms of folding belt guides and product sealing rollers arerepresented in FIGS. 16 and 17. Referring to FIG. 16 a pair of sealingwheels 210 and 211 are supported from a transverse bracket 212 whichextends across and over the folding belt from the side panels 100 and101. The sealing rollers 210 and 211 function identically as rollers 134and 135 shown in FIG. 2, the principal distinction being that therollers in FIG. 16 are supported from above the belt as distinguishedfrom the lower support of the rollers in FIG. 2. A hold-down inverted U-shaped belt guide roller 213 is supported above and between the sealingrollers on the lower face of the bracket 212. The slot through theroller 213 receives the adjacent edge portions of the folding belt forholding the belt downwardly as it slides along and between the sealingrollers. FIG. 17 illustrates one of a pair of identical top supportedcombined belt folding roller and sealing roller 220 which may besupported from the transverse bracket 212 to perform the combinedfunctions of the folding belt guide rollers 131 and 132 and the sealingrollers 134 and 135. The roller 220 has the folding belt guide portion221 which has a concave surface 222 and a lip or flange-like sealingportion 223. The concave roller portion guides the folding belt into thefolded relationship represented in FIG. 16 and somewhat resembling thebelt shape of FIGS. 7 and 8, while the lip portion 223 seals the productshell as it passes within the folding belt between the rollers. Theshape of the opening between a pair of the rollers 220 defined by theconcave roller portions 222 is somewhat like a teardrop.

In operation, the machine 20 of FIGS. 1-1 1 functions to prepare a taco,enchilada, or similar type food product having an outer foldable, edibleshell and an inner filling. The machine receives the shell, deposits ameasured amount of filler, such as a meat paste, on the shell, folds theshell to form a filler-containing envelope, seals the envelope, anddischarges the finished product. The shells 90, which may be freshlycooked tortillas, are deposited in the machine by the conveyor 21 whichdischarges the shells on the slide wires 91 between the discharge end ofthe conveyor 21 and the small input feed conveyor 23. The shells slidedown the wires 91 onto the belts 102 of the feed conveyor. The leadingedge of each shell 90 engages the sensor 84a of the switch 84 closingthe circuit to the time delay relay controlling the air valve 73. Sincethe switch is a normally closed switch, the closing of the switch 84energizes the time delay relay moving the switch 73 to a position toexhaust air from the piston6l through the line 72, the valve 73 and theexhaust nozzle 80. The spring 71 of the piston assembly 52 lifts thepiston rod 65 and the pincher head 72 to the position of FIG. 5 at whichit is spaced from the end member 60a of the harness 60. The constantlyrecirculating pressure of the meat paste or filler in the manifold 35 ofthe filler system 25 forces discharge of meat filler F through theflexible hose portion 55 of the dispensing nozzle 51 onto the top faceof the shell 90. As the shell advances along the conveyor 23, itsforward edge engages the sensor 85a of the switch 85 a very short timeafter having engaged sensor 840 of the switch 84. The switch 85, anormally closed switch, is opened shutting off power to the time delayrelay. The cooperative action of the switches 84 and 85 thus send anelectrical pulse to the time delay relay which actuates the relaythrough an operating cycle, the time length of which is determined byadjustment of the time delay feature of the relay. The relay is adjustedto allow the dispensing nozzle to be open just long enough for filler tobe deposited across the full diameter of the shell 90. Responsive to thesetting of the time delay relay, the valve 73 is moved back to aposition to supply air to the piston unit 52 to extend the piston rod 65again pinching off or closing the flexible tube portion 55 of thedischarge nozzle shutting off the supply of filler being deposited onthe shell 90. When the discharge nozzle is closed, the filler materialcontinues to circulate in the system 25 returning to the reservoir 31.

The shell 9t) on which the filler F has been deposited, FIG. 3, isadvanced by the conveyor 23 and discharged at the end of the conveyor tothe input end of the folding belt 12th. The close proximity of thedischarge end of the conveyor 23 and the input end of the belt 20, witha certain degree of rigidity of the shell 96) and the tiller F thereon,permits ready transfer of the shell and filler to the folding belt. FIG.2 shows the filler F deposited across a shell 9i) on the input end ofthe folding belt. The shell and filler move along the folding belt intocontact with the lower edge of the hold-down wheel Mil which tends toengage the shell 90 with its serrated edge. The wheel revolves in acounterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1, so that the lower edge ofthe wheel moves along and at the same rate of speed as the folding beltsurface. The lower edge of the wheel rotates through the tiller F,holding the central portion of the shell 90 downwardly against the topface of the folding belt as the belt folds the lateral edges of theshell upwardly toward each other as the belt is guided by the foldingrollers 13R and 132. FIG. 7 shows a shell 90 with the filler F spreadacross it moving along the folding portion 1120b of the folding belt atthe holddown wheel M0. Any filler material, such as the meat paste,sticking to the hold-down wheel is cleaned from the wheel and deflectedback downwardly by the scraper 145. The shell and filler advances intothe most fully folded portion of the folding belt, as shown in FIG. 8,between the seal rollers I34 and 1135 which squeeze the shell togetheralong a straight seal line slightly above the ribbon of filler on theshell, sealing the shell along a line 90a, thereby forming afiller-filled envelope portion 90b and a small arcuate flap portion-90cvwhich may be folded over against the envelope portion when packing thefinished product P.

The folding and sealing functions are performed in essentially the sameway by the alternate forms'of the apparatus of FIGS. 16 and 17. Lookingat the form of FIG. 16 as the filled shell moves along the foldingportion of the belt, the guide roller 213 holds the belt down while theseal rollers 210 and-2ll1 seal the shell along the line 90a to containthe filler within the envelope 90b. If the machine is equipped with therollers 220 of FIG. 17, the principal folding function of the belt andthe sealing of the shell around the filler is accomplished moresimultaneously as the product moves in the belt between the spacedrollers. The end product is essentially the same in each of the forms offolding and sealing apparatus which might be employed in the machine.

The operation of the modified form of apparatus shown in FIG. 13 isgenerally identical to that already described, the principal differenceresiding in the use of the dual hold-down pulleys and hold-down belt tofacilitate handling of a smaller shell and tiller quantity whichrequires slightly increased hold-down time during folding. In processingthe larger enchiladas and tacos as previously discussed, the shell 94)is generally about six inches in diameter while the smaller shells usedfor the party sizes, which may function as hors doerves and the like,may have a shell 90" on the order of three inches in diameter.Obviously, the timing system of FIG. I1 must be adjusted to deposit asmaller quantity or shorter ribbon of filler across the shell. As theshell moves along the folding belt, it is first engaged by the hold-downbelt 172 along the lower edge of the first hold-down pulley I70. Thelength of the belt 172 between the lower edges of the hold-down pulleys170 and I71 holds the center of the shell and filler against the topsurface of the belt at the bottom of the valley defined by the upwardlyfolding belt edges. The folding belt and hold-down belt 172 advances theshell and filler as the shell is folded around the filler into the deepfolded portion of the belt where the seal rollers then seal the shellaround the filler. The belt then discharges it as the product P shown atthe discharge end of the folding belt in FIG. 13.

When the machine is used with the knife assembly of FIGS. 14 and 15, acontinuous ribbon of a shell strip about the same width as the diameterof the shells or 90 is fed into the input end of the machine at theconveyor 23 beneath the filler discharge nozzle 51, which is adjusted todeposit a continuous ribbon of filler along the shell strip. The fillerand shell strip move through the folding and sealing section of thebelt, being discharged as a continuous product strip formed in crosssection to appear the same as the tacos and enchiladas previouslydescribed. The knife assembly is adjusted to cut the product strip inselected lengths as desired.

The machine may be constructed for single row production or multiple rowproduction. In multiple row use a plurality of the machines may besimply aligned in parallel side by side relationship or the functionalcomponents of the system, as for example the filler dispensing nozzleassemblies, the folding belts, and the related structure such as thehold-down wheels, fold guides, and seal rollers, are provided for eachproduction row desired. In such a combination a single filler manifoldmaybe used from the filler reservoir tank to supply each of thedispensing nozzles, each nozzle being independently timed andfunctioning responsive to the feed of product shells into the machinealong that particular row. A single discharge conveyor belt also may beused with the output of each of the folding belts delivering thecompleted product to the belt. The machine is capable of anexceptionally high production rate, as for example, each row of acombination machine formed by several production lines, is capable ofprocessing several hundred products per minute.

While the apparatus of the invention has been described in termsprincipally of its application to the preparation of Mexican foodproducts, such as enchiladas and tacos, it will be readily recognizedthat the machine is readily applicable to other products which areprepared by folding a relatively thin outer shell of cake, bread, pastryor similar mass, around an inner filler. Under certain circumstancescontrolled by product shell content, temperature, and the like, theshell holddown means may not be required to retain the shell and fillerin the folding region of the folding belt, though under most conditionssuch hold-down means is preferred.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for preparing a food product having an outer shell foldedaround an inner filler comprising: a folding belt conveyor; a pair ofspaced end rollers supporting said folding belt; filler dispensing meansfor depositing said filler on said shell at said input end of saidfolding belt; means engaging said folding belt intermediate said inputend of said belt and a discharge end of said belt for folding thelateral edges of said belt upwardly and inwardly into closely spacedlateral relationship deforming said belt in lateral cross section to agenerally U-shaped configuration for folding said shell upwardly aroundsaid filler as said shell and filler advance along said belt through thedeformed region of said belt to the discharge end thereof; and hold-downguide means supported along said folding belt within the deformedportion of said belt as said belt enters said means for folding saidbelt to hold said shell and filler downwardly in said belt as said shelland filler enter said folding region of said belt.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hold-down meanscomprises a wheel supported for rotation above said folding belt, thelower peripheral edge of said wheel being disposed in close spacedrelation with the top surface of said folding belt substantially alongthe longitudinal center line of said belt.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said hold-down wheel isdriven at a rate synchronized with the rate of movement of said foldingbelt.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hold-down meanscomprises a pair of longitudinally spaced pulleys supported above saidfolding belt, one of said pulleys having a lower peripheral portiondisposed in the folding region of said belt and the other of saidpulleys being located in advance of the folding region of said belt,said pulleys being aligned in a common vertical plane substantiallyalong the longitudinal center line of said folding belt, and a hold-downbelt running on said pulleys, the lower segment of said belt betweensaid pulleys being disposed substantially along the longitudinal centerline of said folding belt along the top surface of said folding belt forengaging and holding a product shell and filler as said shell and fillerenter the folding region of said folding belt.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said hold-down pulleysand hold-down belt are driven at a rate synchronized with the rate ofmovement of said folding belt.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a timing system foractuating said filler dispensing means at a predetermined timed sequencefor sequentially depositing filler along spaced product shellssequentially fed into said apparatus.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including sealing meanssupported in operative relationship with the folding region of saidfolding belt for sealing said shell around said filler.

8. Apparatus for preparing a food product having an outer shell foldedaround an inner filler comprising: a feed conveyor for receiving saidshell at one end thereof and discharging said shell at an opposite endthereof; a dispensing nozzle assembly supported above said feed conveyorfor depositing a quantity of said filler on said shell as said shell ismoved relative to said nozzle assembly by said feed conveyor; controlmeans connected with said nozzle assembly for operating said assemblyfor deposit of a measured quantity of said filler on said shellincluding sensing means for detecting the movement of the said shellalong said feed conveyor relative to said nozzle assembly; a foldingbelt conveyor disposed in shell receiving relationship with said feedconveyor whereby said shell and filler are discharged by said feedconveyor to an input end of said folding belt conveyor; guide meansengaging lateral side portions of said folding belt conveyorintermediate the input and discharge ends of said conveyor for deforminga folding portion of said folding belt conveyor into a substantiallyU-shape wherein lateral edges of said belt are guided upwardly andinwardly toward each other to a closely spaced adjacent relationshipabove the bight portion of said belt along said folding region wherebyas said shell with said filler thereon moves through said foldingregion, said shell is folded around said filler forming an envelopeportion of said shell containing said filler, said product thereafterbeing transported by said folding conveyor belt to a discharge end ofsaid belt; and hold-down guide means supported in operative relationwith said folding belt conveyor within said folding region of said beltbetween said input end of said belt and said guide means for deformingsaid belt, said hold-down guide means having a product engaging portionfor holding said shell and filler within said folding region of saidbelt as said shell is folded upwardly around said filler; and means fordriving said feed conveyor and said folding belt conveyor atsynchronized rates.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 including shell sealing meanssupported in operative relationship with said folding region of saidfolding belt conveyor for squeezing said shell together to seal saidshell defining an envelope in said shell containing said filler.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said sealing meanscomprises roller means formed integral with said means engaging saidfolding belt conveyor and guiding said belt into said foldingconfiguration along said folding region of said belt.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said hold-down meanscomprises a hold-down wheel supported above said folding belt conveyoralong the entry portion of the folding region of said belt, said wheelhaving a lower peripheral edge running substantially along thelongitudinal center line of said folding belt in the direction ofmovement of said folding belt; and means driving said hold-down wheel ata rate synchronized with the rate of movement of said folding belt.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said dispensing nozzlecomprises a length of flexible tubing adapted to be supplied with saidfiller material under a dispensing pressure, and a piston assemblyhaving a pinching head thereon co-acting with said flexible tubing forpinching said tubing together in a closed relationship and for releasingsaid tubing for expansion and dispensing of filler therethrough to asurface of said shell as said shell is moved relative to said dispensingnozzle.

13. Apparatus for preparing a food product having an outer shell foldedaround an inner filler comprising: a feed conveyor including end rollersand spaced belt members running over said rollers for receiving andmoving said shell from an input to a discharge end of said conveyorwhile said filler is deposited on said shell; a dispensing nozzlesupported above said feed conveyor for depositing said filler materialon said shell as said shell is moved relative to said nozzle by saidfeed conveyor; sensor means supported relative to said feed conveyor forengagement by said shell as said shell is moved along said conveyorrelative to said nozzle; timing circuit means connected between saidnozzle and said sensor means for actuating said nozzle responsive tomovement of said shell relative to said detecting means for depositing ameasured quantity of said filler on said shell as said shell is moved bysaid feed conveyor; a folding belt conveyor positioned with an input endat the discharge end of said feed conveyor for receiving said shell withsaid filler thereon from said discharge end of said feed conveyor, saidfolding belt conveyor including end rollers and a flexible belt operatedover said end rollers; folding belt guide means disposed along oppositesides of said folding belt conveyor between said end rollers of saidconveyor engaging lateral side edges of said folding belt conveyordeflecting said side edges upwardly and inwardly deforming said beltinto a substantially U cross-sectional shape along a folding region ofsaid folding belt conveyor whereby said shell with said filler thereon,upon entry into and movement through said folding belt region, is foldedupwardly around said filler and moved to and discharged from thedischarge end of said belt; hold-down means supported in operativerelation with said folding belt conveyor including at least one wheelmember supported in a substantially vertical plane along thelongitudinal axis of said folding belt conveyor having a lowerperipheral region disposed along the entry portion of said foldingregion of said folding belt conveyor for holding said shell downwardlyas said shell and filler enter said folding region; drive means forturning said wheel member in a direction for moving the lower peripheraledge of said member in the same direction as said folding belt conveyorat said member; and drive means connected with said feed conveyor andsaid folding belt conveyor for driving said conveyors at a synchronizedrate.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said dispensing nozzleincludes a flexible tubular outlet portion and a piston-actuated pincherhead co-acting with said flexible outlet portion for squeezing saidportion together to close said dispensing nozzle at a first headposition and for releasing said outlet portion for expansion to a fullopen shape at a second head position for dispensing said filler throughsaid outlet portion to said shell on said feed conveyor. 15. Apparatusin accordance with claim 13 including shell seal means disposed alongopposite side portions of said folding belt conveyor between saidhold-down means and said discharge end of said conveyor for squeezingsaid shell together to seal said shell around said filler defining anenvelope formed by said shell containing said filler.

'16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said sensor meansincludes at least one switch connected in said timing circuit means andhaving a feeler for engaging said shell to actuate said timing circuitmeans for operating said dispensing nozzle to deposit a desired quantityof said filler on said shell.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 including knife meanspositioned adjacent to the discharge end of said folding belt conveyorfor cutting a ribbon-like product in selected lengths as said product isdischarged by said conveyor belt.

18. A dispensing nozzle system for depositing a measured quantity of aflowable material on a surface comprising: a conduit member adapted tobe connected at one end to a source of said flowable material underpressure and adapted at the opposite end to discharge of said flowablematerial on said surface, at least a portion of said conduit being of aflexible material expandable and contractable between a normally openshape for flow of said flowable material therethrough and a squeezedtogether, closed shape for preventing flow of any of said materialtherethrough; a member providing a holding surface on one side of saidflexible portion of said conduit for holding said conduit againstmovement while said conduit is squeezed closed; a piston assemblyoperative responsive to a fluid pressure and having a piston rodextendable and retractable relative to said flexible portion of saidconduit; and a pincher head on said piston rod for engaging saidflexible portion of said conduit opposite said holding surface wherebyextension of said piston rod and pincher head toward said holdingsurface squeezes said flexible portion of said conduit together to closesaid conduit against movement of said flowable material, and retractionof said piston rod away from said holding surface permits expansion ofsaid flexible portion of said conduit to a full open shape for flow ofsaid material through said conduit for deposit on said surface.

19. Apparatus for processing food products having an outer shell and aninner filler comprising: a feed conveyor having longitudinally spacedend rollers and laterally spaced conveyor belts running over said endrollers, said feed conveyor being adapted to sequentially receive saidfood product shells for movement from an input end of said conveyor toan output end thereof; a dispensing nozzle assembly secured above saidfeed conveyor for depositing a measured quantity of said filler on eachof said shells as said shells are moved along said feed conveyor; afiller supply system connected with said dispensing nozzle for supplyingsaid nozzle with a filler under pressure; a sensor member supported witha shell engaging portion penetrating the carrying plane of the belts onsaid feed conveyor for engagement by each of said shells as said shellsare moved along said conveyor; a timing and power circuit interconnectedbetween said dispensing nozzle and said sensor member for operating saidnozzle responsive to said sensor for depositing predetermined quantitiesof said filler on each of said shells; a folding belt conveyor supportedin alignment with said feed conveyor, said folding belt conveyorincluding longitudinally spaced end rollers and a flexible belt runningover said rollers, an input end of said folding belt conveyor beingpositioned at the discharge end of said feed conveyor; guide meanssecured on opposite sides of said flexible belt between said input anddischarge ends engaging lateral edge portions of said belt deformingsaid edge portions upwardly and inwardly providing a folding regionalong said belt to fold lateral portions of said shells upwardly aroundsaid filler in each of said shells forming an envelope of each of saidshells around the said filler as each of said shells with said fillerthereon is moved through said folding region of said belt toward thedischarge end thereof; hold-down means secured above said flexible beltof said folding belt conveyor along the folding region thereof having ashell engaging portion disposed within the entry portion of said foldingregion of said belt for holding each of said shells downwardly in saidbelt as said shell enters the folding region of said belt; and means fordriving said hold-down means at a rate synchronized with the rate ofmovement of said feed conveyor and said folding belt conveyor.

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1. Apparatus for preparing a food product having an outer shell foldedaround an inner filler comprising: a folding belt conveyor; a pair ofspaced end rollers supporting said folding belt; filler dispensing meansfor depositing said filler on said shell at said input end of saidfolding belt; means engaging said folding belt intermediate said inputend of said belt and a discharge end of said belt for folding thelateral edges of said belt upwardly and inwardly into closely spacedlateral relationship deforming said belt in lateral cross section to agenerally U-shaped configuration for folding said shell upwardly aroundsaid filler as said shell and filler advance along said belt through thedeformed region of said belt to the discharge end thereof; and hold-downguide means supported along said folding belt within the deformedportion of said belt as said belt enters said means for folding saidbelt to hold said shell and filler downwardly in said belt as said shelland filler enter said folding region of said belt.
 2. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said hold-down means comprises a wheelsupported for rotation above said folding belt, the lower peripheraledge of said wheel being disposed in close spaced relation with the topsurface of said folding belt substantially along the longitudinal centerline of said belt.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidhold-down wheel is driven at a rate synchronized with the rate ofmovement of said folding belt.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1wherein said hold-down means comprises a pair of longitudinally spacedpulleys supported above said folding belt, one of said pulleys having alower peripheral portion disposed in the folding region of said belt andthe other of said pulleys being located in advance of the folding regionof said belt, said pulleys being aligned in a common vertical planesubstantially along the longitudinal center line of said folding belt,and a hold-down belt running on said pulleys, the lower segment of saidbelt between said pulleys being disposed substantially along thelongitudinal center line of said folding belt along the top surface ofsaid folding belt for engaging and holding a product shell and filler assaid shell and filler enter the folding region of said folding belt. 5.Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said hold-down pulleys andhold-down belt are driven at a rate synchronized with the rate ofmovement of said folding belt.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1including a timing system for actuating said filler dispensing means ata predetermined timed sequence for sequentially depositing filler alongspaced product shells sequentially fed into said apparatus.
 7. Apparatusin accordance with claim 1 including sealing means supported inoperative relationship with the folding region of said folding belt forsealing said shell around said filler.
 8. Apparatus for preparing a foodproduct having an outer shell folded around an inner filler comprising:a feed conveyor for receiving said shell at one end thereof anddischarging said shell at an opposite end thereof; a dispensing nozzleassembly supported above said feed conveyor for depositing a quantity ofsaid filler on said shell as said shell is moved rElative to said nozzleassembly by said feed conveyor; control means connected with said nozzleassembly for operating said assembly for deposit of a measured quantityof said filler on said shell including sensing means for detecting themovement of the said shell along said feed conveyor relative to saidnozzle assembly; a folding belt conveyor disposed in shell receivingrelationship with said feed conveyor whereby said shell and filler aredischarged by said feed conveyor to an input end of said folding beltconveyor; guide means engaging lateral side portions of said foldingbelt conveyor intermediate the input and discharge ends of said conveyorfor deforming a folding portion of said folding belt conveyor into asubstantially U-shape wherein lateral edges of said belt are guidedupwardly and inwardly toward each other to a closely spaced adjacentrelationship above the bight portion of said belt along said foldingregion whereby as said shell with said filler thereon moves through saidfolding region, said shell is folded around said filler forming anenvelope portion of said shell containing said filler, said productthereafter being transported by said folding conveyor belt to adischarge end of said belt; and hold-down guide means supported inoperative relation with said folding belt conveyor within said foldingregion of said belt between said input end of said belt and said guidemeans for deforming said belt, said hold-down guide means having aproduct engaging portion for holding said shell and filler within saidfolding region of said belt as said shell is folded upwardly around saidfiller; and means for driving said feed conveyor and said folding beltconveyor at synchronized rates.
 9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8including shell sealing means supported in operative relationship withsaid folding region of said folding belt conveyor for squeezing saidshell together to seal said shell defining an envelope in said shellcontaining said filler.
 10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 whereinsaid sealing means comprises roller means formed integral with saidmeans engaging said folding belt conveyor and guiding said belt intosaid folding configuration along said folding region of said belt. 11.Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said hold-down meanscomprises a hold-down wheel supported above said folding belt conveyoralong the entry portion of the folding region of said belt, said wheelhaving a lower peripheral edge running substantially along thelongitudinal center line of said folding belt in the direction ofmovement of said folding belt; and means driving said hold-down wheel ata rate synchronized with the rate of movement of said folding belt. 12.Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said dispensing nozzlecomprises a length of flexible tubing adapted to be supplied with saidfiller material under a dispensing pressure, and a piston assemblyhaving a pinching head thereon co-acting with said flexible tubing forpinching said tubing together in a closed relationship and for releasingsaid tubing for expansion and dispensing of filler therethrough to asurface of said shell as said shell is moved relative to said dispensingnozzle.
 13. Apparatus for preparing a food product having an outer shellfolded around an inner filler comprising: a feed conveyor including endrollers and spaced belt members running over said rollers for receivingand moving said shell from an input to a discharge end of said conveyorwhile said filler is deposited on said shell; a dispensing nozzlesupported above said feed conveyor for depositing said filler materialon said shell as said shell is moved relative to said nozzle by saidfeed conveyor; sensor means supported relative to said feed conveyor forengagement by said shell as said shell is moved along said conveyorrelative to said nozzle; timing circuit means connected between saidnozzle and said sensor means for actuating said nozzle responsive tomovement of said shell rElative to said detecting means for depositing ameasured quantity of said filler on said shell as said shell is moved bysaid feed conveyor; a folding belt conveyor positioned with an input endat the discharge end of said feed conveyor for receiving said shell withsaid filler thereon from said discharge end of said feed conveyor, saidfolding belt conveyor including end rollers and a flexible belt operatedover said end rollers; folding belt guide means disposed along oppositesides of said folding belt conveyor between said end rollers of saidconveyor engaging lateral side edges of said folding belt conveyordeflecting said side edges upwardly and inwardly deforming said beltinto a substantially U cross-sectional shape along a folding region ofsaid folding belt conveyor whereby said shell with said filler thereon,upon entry into and movement through said folding belt region, is foldedupwardly around said filler and moved to and discharged from thedischarge end of said belt; hold-down means supported in operativerelation with said folding belt conveyor including at least one wheelmember supported in a substantially vertical plane along thelongitudinal axis of said folding belt conveyor having a lowerperipheral region disposed along the entry portion of said foldingregion of said folding belt conveyor for holding said shell downwardlyas said shell and filler enter said folding region; drive means forturning said wheel member in a direction for moving the lower peripheraledge of said member in the same direction as said folding belt conveyorat said member; and drive means connected with said feed conveyor andsaid folding belt conveyor for driving said conveyors at a synchronizedrate.
 14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said dispensingnozzle includes a flexible tubular outlet portion and a piston-actuatedpincher head co-acting with said flexible outlet portion for squeezingsaid portion together to close said dispensing nozzle at a first headposition and for releasing said outlet portion for expansion to a fullopen shape at a second head position for dispensing said filler throughsaid outlet portion to said shell on said feed conveyor.
 15. Apparatusin accordance with claim 13 including shell seal means disposed alongopposite side portions of said folding belt conveyor between saidhold-down means and said discharge end of said conveyor for squeezingsaid shell together to seal said shell around said filler defining anenvelope formed by said shell containing said filler.
 16. Apparatus inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said sensor means includes at least oneswitch connected in said timing circuit means and having a feeler forengaging said shell to actuate said timing circuit means for operatingsaid dispensing nozzle to deposit a desired quantity of said filler onsaid shell.
 17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 including knifemeans positioned adjacent to the discharge end of said folding beltconveyor for cutting a ribbon-like product in selected lengths as saidproduct is discharged by said conveyor belt.
 18. A dispensing nozzlesystem for depositing a measured quantity of a flowable material on asurface comprising: a conduit member adapted to be connected at one endto a source of said flowable material under pressure and adapted at theopposite end to discharge of said flowable material on said surface, atleast a portion of said conduit being of a flexible material expandableand contractable between a normally open shape for flow of said flowablematerial therethrough and a squeezed together, closed shape forpreventing flow of any of said material therethrough; a member providinga holding surface on one side of said flexible portion of said conduitfor holding said conduit against movement while said conduit is squeezedclosed; a piston assembly operative responsive to a fluid pressure andhaving a piston rod extendable and retractable relative to said flexibleportion of said conduit; and a pincHer head on said piston rod forengaging said flexible portion of said conduit opposite said holdingsurface whereby extension of said piston rod and pincher head towardsaid holding surface squeezes said flexible portion of said conduittogether to close said conduit against movement of said flowablematerial, and retraction of said piston rod away from said holdingsurface permits expansion of said flexible portion of said conduit to afull open shape for flow of said material through said conduit fordeposit on said surface.
 19. Apparatus for processing food productshaving an outer shell and an inner filler comprising: a feed conveyorhaving longitudinally spaced end rollers and laterally spaced conveyorbelts running over said end rollers, said feed conveyor being adapted tosequentially receive said food product shells for movement from an inputend of said conveyor to an output end thereof; a dispensing nozzleassembly secured above said feed conveyor for depositing a measuredquantity of said filler on each of said shells as said shells are movedalong said feed conveyor; a filler supply system connected with saiddispensing nozzle for supplying said nozzle with a filler underpressure; a sensor member supported with a shell engaging portionpenetrating the carrying plane of the belts on said feed conveyor forengagement by each of said shells as said shells are moved along saidconveyor; a timing and power circuit interconnected between saiddispensing nozzle and said sensor member for operating said nozzleresponsive to said sensor for depositing predetermined quantities ofsaid filler on each of said shells; a folding belt conveyor supported inalignment with said feed conveyor, said folding belt conveyor includinglongitudinally spaced end rollers and a flexible belt running over saidrollers, an input end of said folding belt conveyor being positioned atthe discharge end of said feed conveyor; guide means secured on oppositesides of said flexible belt between said input and discharge endsengaging lateral edge portions of said belt deforming said edge portionsupwardly and inwardly providing a folding region along said belt to foldlateral portions of said shells upwardly around said filler in each ofsaid shells forming an envelope of each of said shells around the saidfiller as each of said shells with said filler thereon is moved throughsaid folding region of said belt toward the discharge end thereof;hold-down means secured above said flexible belt of said folding beltconveyor along the folding region thereof having a shell engagingportion disposed within the entry portion of said folding region of saidbelt for holding each of said shells downwardly in said belt as saidshell enters the folding region of said belt; and means for driving saidhold-down means at a rate synchronized with the rate of movement of saidfeed conveyor and said folding belt conveyor.